Classmates Struggle To Cope With Sisters' Deaths

INDIANAPOLIS -- Classmates are having a difficult time dealing with the deaths of two sisters killed in a house fire Sunday morning.

Investigators said they believe a candle left burning overnight might have sparked the blaze, which killed LeNesha Drake, 7, and her sister, Camary, 10.

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Images: 2 Children Killed In Mother's Day Fire

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Their mother, Natasha Drake, 35, and brother, Elijah Drake, 2, are fighting for their lives at Wishard Memorial Hospital and Riley Hospital for Children, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

A memorial grew Monday outside the home in the 3600 block of Hillside Avenue. In the girls' classrooms at Indianapolis Public School No. 39, their desks are covered with messages from classmates.

LeNesha Drake's first-grade teacher, Sherry Sullivan, described her as sweet and affectionate. Sullivan said the girl was in a great mood the last time she saw her on Friday.

"She was very, very excited," Sullivan said. "I specifically remember her … letting me know that she was going to get to see her dad very soon and her mom and dad were getting married."

LeNesha's sister Camary was in the fourth grade at the same school.

Grief counselors were here to talk and listen to students. Several of Camary's closest friends were so upset that they had to leave class.

"Unfortunately, our kids have had many tragedies. Three or four of them lived in Hovey Street with the Hovey Street murders," said teacher Cora Shields. "The shootings last week, they were right there. So, our kids are more used to tragedy than we are."

The People's Burn Foundation is collecting donations to cover the family's burial expenses. They will also provide emotional help to surviving family, such as grandmother Jacqueline Crawford, who escaped flames through a first-floor window but watched as the home burned.

"Any mother and grandmother in this situation, there just really are no words for their emotions," said Shawn Longerich, of People's Burn Foundation. "In our life … we can call it horrific. We can call it tragic, and it is all of those things, but understanding the level of pain that they feel is so far beyond."

People's Burn Foundation can be reached at 317-803-2876.

School No. 39's principal sent letters home with all students Monday asking families to review their fire safety, including going over an escape plan and checking smoke detectors.

The letter also asked parents to give their children a special hug in memory of LeNesha and Camary.